Iron Zebra

Mine is a Malaysian version: 350cc, Year 2015, CKD and uses carburettors. When I bought the bobber, I paid the difference to acquire the factory half-ape hangers over the stock bobber handlebars in which the half-ape hangers require longer cables as used by the Spyder. The rear accessory support was vandalised twice in its early days and left me to customize the rear end like a true bobber. The mileage is now 20K but I stopped using it since 2019 to give priority for my children’s further education so it has become an outdoor furniture underneath the balcony until I secure the necessary funds to fully service the motorcycle. Lately, I've replaced worn out external components via eCommerce from China and sprayed the exhaust pipe with high temperature matt black over 2 coats of plastic acrylic paint because I was lazy polishing it.

 



The engine block has been faithful since day 1 but the bobber broke down several times:
1. It had a roadside breakdown due to short-circuit starter relay.
2. It twice had a petrol station breakdown due to sticky switch contact and short-circuit starter relay.
3. It twice had a motorcycle lane breakdown due to snapped chain and torn inner throttle;
4. Rain water seep into spark plug chamber one heavy rainy night.

Some resolutions:
1. Closed an exposed cable hole at the battery compartment with a sticker;
2. Greased the key hole;
3. Use heavy-duty O-type chain;
4. Use heavy-duty wheel ball-bearing sets;
5. Use aluminium inner throttle;
6. Customized clutch cable terminal;
7. Upgrade from 0.7 to 1.0mm spark plug cables.

Budget motorbikes have a wide variation in quality. If lucky, no complaints from Day 1. For me, after 7 years ownership, engine is sound but many components wear and tear due to Malaysian climate. China-made electrical wire is too basic, prone to short-circuit. The customization of my motorbike involved components which suffered wear and tear identified with *, upgrades identified with @ and vandalized replacements identified with #.
01. Black custom side mirrors*
02. Black custom clutch lever*
03. Black custom front brake lever-cum-brake oil reserve*
04. Aluminium custom inner throttle tube*
05. Rubber vintage throttle grip*
06. Aluminium foot pegs & support attachment*
07. O-type heavy duty chain*
08. Snail-type air horn (510Hz)*
09. Black metal custom side light indicators*
10. Aluminium tyre valve caps*
11. Heavy-duty wheel ball-bearing sets*
12. Aluminium custom petrol filter@
13. Alloy front brake & gear pegs@
14. Silicone petrol filter hose@
15. Silicone carburettor hoses@
16. Silicone petrol tank hose@
17. Silicone 1mm spark plug cables@
18. Zebra stripes custom airbrush job
19. Hazard relay & switch
20. Strobe light & switch
21. Custom heavy-duty grounding cable
22. Alloy side license number plate-cum-brake/night light holder#
23. Radiator*
24. Coolant kettle reserve*
25. Starter relay*

            

Yes, for glamour, it’s no Harley Davidson and it would be nice to own a hardtail bobber with at least a 500cc to give the exhaust note some oomph. Then again, the Malaysian Road Authority makes it illegal to customize the stock frame but thankfully, the Bobber's full size hardtail frame meets my requirements as it is beautifully stretched. I plan to keep it for life because it is easy and cheap to maintain, easy to manoeuvre in inner city traffic, powerful enough for intra-city trips, has that nostalgic classic, timeless look and always makes heads turn though I found primary school boys love it the most.